Looking for an AACSB Business PhD Program that doesnt require GMAT or GRE

I am an MBA grad from an AACSB school (3.73gpa) that is looking for a PhD program in business that doesnt require these standardized tests (gmat, gre). I have taken both in the past, but my scores have expired, and I really dont want to take it again because of the time and expense. I also fear that I may not test in the percentile in math I need to (my math skills arent the best)...does anyone know of a AACSB accredited school that doesnt require these tests? I am willing to look internationally... I know that New Zealand does not require them, but their PhD is all research with no coursework... I wouldnt mind studying internationally, but would like to know if there are any other options out there... Any ideas anyone? Thank you...

I am an MBA grad from an AACSB school (3.73gpa) that is looking for a PhD program in business that doesnt require these standardized tests (gmat, gre). I have taken both in the past, but my scores have expired, and I really dont want to take it again because of the time and expense. I also fear that I may not test in the percentile in math I need to (my math skills arent the best)...does anyone know of a AACSB accredited school that doesnt require these tests? I am willing to look internationally... I know that New Zealand does not require them, but their PhD is all research with no coursework... I wouldnt mind studying internationally, but would like to know if there are any other options out there... Any ideas anyone? Thank you...

Have you looked at UK/European schools for PhD/DBA ?. A lot of them are triple(EQUIS/AMBA/AACSB) accredited.

I believe the consensus in the past has been that an AACSB accredited school offering a doctorate in business will always require a standardized test as part of the admissions process. It may or may not be the GMAT but the GMAT is the defacto standard.

As to being fearful of the percentile.. I ask of you a logic question.

1. You're willing to spend years on a doctorate.
2. You're willing to spend money (perhaps thousands, perhaps none) on tuition.
3. You're not willing to spend 3 months and a couple grand on GMAT prep.
4. You're not willing to spend a couple hours re-taking a test.

Doesn't make sense. Just man up, study if necessary and take the exams. There's nothing on the math sections that you've not seen before if you've done high school algebra and graduate level stats already.

Note: I felt the same way until I realized how stupid I was being. I'm taking the GRE on the 19th to get an app into DSU.

3. You're not willing to spend 3 months and a couple grand on GMAT prep.
4. You're not willing to spend a couple hours re-taking a test.

Same situation here. The problem with these tests is, that the money and time spend on them feels like a complete waste. A PhD subject is usually close to ones personal or professional interest. This makes 1&2 at least to a certain degree looking like a enjoyable process. But spending money and time on polishing up ones geometry skills seems highly irrelevant. Taking into consideration that being a PhD student is usually more about being passionated about a very specific subject and not becoming a generalist the tests increase their apparent irrelevancy, even more when someone works outside of the quantitative paradigmas.

Same situation here. The problem with these tests is, that the money and time spend on them feels like a complete waste. A PhD subject is usually close to ones personal or professional interest. This makes 1&2 at least to a certain degree looking like a enjoyable process. But spending money and time on polishing up ones geometry skills seems highly irrelevant. Taking into consideration that being a PhD student is usually more about being passionated about a very specific subject and not becoming a generalist the tests increase their apparent irrelevancy, even more when someone works outside of the quantitative paradigmas.

There is a vast difference between the subject of a PhD program and the work involved in the PhD program. I agree with your statement of personal interest, but anyone that avoids a PhD program because the GRE or GMAT is too much work will have a serious problem with the amount of useless busy work involved in pursuing the program that represents the interest in the subject itself.

Being a Ph.D student is about paying your dues and getting your rear end handed to you on a regular basis. Being passionate comes into play when you have to draw on the strength to get through the program and later, to find a way to make a better living with your passion.

Anyone that isn't passionate enough about their field to take a standardized test is more likely to wash out of a doctoral program. Not certain, but certainly more likely. Part of the reason why it's a requirement for many programs, not just about the scores.

Opinion: The logic of skills irrelevance belongs in the toolkit of those going to career schools, or vocational programs, not doctoral programs

Last edited by ITJD; 11-09-2011 at 02:38 PM.

MSIA(c) - Northeastern University
MBA - Isenberg School of Management - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
BSIT- Western Governors' University
BA History - Northeastern University

There is a vast difference between the subject of a PhD program and the work involved in the PhD program. I agree with your statement of personal interest, but anyone that avoids a PhD program because the GRE or GMAT is too much work will have a serious problem with the amount of useless busy work involved in pursuing the program that represents the interest in the subject itself.

Being a Ph.D student is about paying your dues and getting your rear end handed to you on a regular basis. Being passionate comes into play when you have to draw on the strength to get through the program and later, to find a way to make a better living with your passion.

Anyone that isn't passionate enough about their field to take a standardized test is more likely to wash out of a doctoral program. Not certain, but certainly more likely. Part of the reason why it's a requirement for many programs, not just about the scores.

Opinion: The logic of skills irrelevance belongs in the toolkit of those going to career schools, or vocational programs, not doctoral programs

I was also going to mention that a PhD (and a DBA to a lesser extent) requires quantitative skills that are measured by the GMAT/GRE. I'm not one to put too much stake in standardized tests, but if one can't master the math in the GMAT, they may have trouble with the advanced statistical modeling that the PhD may require. Not saying that is true for the posters on this thread. A little math learning is not going to be a waste for anyone (including myself) who intends to undertake a doctorate.